By Mugonza Abdulwahab
President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday awarded Uganda’s athletes with luxurious vehicles, following their remarkable performances at the just-concluded 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Museveni also promised to build a house for each Gold medalist, as well as reward all of Uganda’s medalists with cash.
The reward comes a day after the athletes received a hero’s welcome at Entebbe International Airport, Kampala.
Joshua Cheptegei won gold in the men’s 5,000m final and silver in the men’s 10,000m. Peruth Chemutai won gold in the women’s 10,000m final, while Jacob Kiplimo took bronze in the men’s 10,000m final.
Uganda was represented by a 25-strong team in Tokyo, but after coming out with nothing in rowing, swimming, and boxing, all remaining medal hopes fell on track and field.
Speaking at the Kololo Ceremonial Ground in Kampala, Museveni announced a monthly stipend for every gold medal winner at Sh5m, Sh3m for silver, and Sh1m for a bronze medalist.
“I want to gift each athlete who gave us a medal at the Olympics with a car and cash,” said Museveni.
“The cars will be awarded as follows; gold medalist will receive Mitsubishi Outlanders and silver medalist will get Mitsubishi L200.”
Museveni also promised to build a house for gold medalist parents as he thanked all participants.
“I want to pledge to build houses for the parents of Olympic gold medalists as I salute all athletes who participated in heats and also reached finals and those people who helped them to train,” he added.
In recent years, Museveni has given excelling sportsmen and women in Uganda gifts that range from cars, houses and cash.
He had offered luxurious cars to Stephen Kiprotich, Joshua Cheptegei, and Stella Chesang for their impressive performances.
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